Below average temperatures in northern Wisconsin this week slowed the progression to spring. Reports of heavy snow fall are forecast for far northern Wisconsin later this week. Keep in mind that even if additional snow arrives, most snowmobile trails are now closed. Ice conditions are deteriorating but with the cold snap this week in the north, some lakes were reportedly making new ice again. There are reports of some northern lakes still having as much as 30 inches of ice, but most northern lakes are now down to 16 to 18 inches with slush and soft ice on top. Lakes are opening up in southern Wisconsin, including much of Lake Monona in Madison, but ice still remains on the larger lakes. The south fork of the Flambeau River is open, but the north fork still has frozen portions.
Some late season ice anglers have been getting out by foot, but with the deteriorating ice pressure has dropped off on most lakes. Anglers who ventured out experienced some fair success, with a few decent catches of perch, crappie and bluegill reported.
Some very nice walleye were being caught on the Fox River in Green Bay, with some 28- to 31-inch fish reported. The Rock and Crawfish Rivers are still flooding adjacent fields in many locations and rivers and streams in Jefferson County are under emergency slow-no-wake rules. Anglers were catching some walleye on the Rock River and dip-netters were having fair success dipping carp and buffalo on the Crawfish and Rock rivers.
Anglers trolling Lake Michigan off of Door County were picking up some brown trout. All of the harbors on the Bay side of Door County remain iced over; however, the ice conditions are very dangerous. Flows are good on Lake Michigan tributaries. Anglers fishing the Manitowoc and East and West Twin rivers were catching some very nice brown trout, steelhead and a few smallmouth bass. Anglers fishing the Sheboygan, Milwaukee, and Root rivers and Oak Creek have been catching a few steelhead. Anglers fishing in and around the Two Rivers, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Port Washington, Milwaukee harbors have been catching brown trout from boats and from piers.
The Mississippi River rose all week and was at 10.1 feet mid-week, up more than a foot and a half in a little over a week. The forecast for the Mississippi River is to rise another 2 feet in the next week or so. The Main Channel is seeing some barge traffic. There has been some decent perch fishing along the shorelines below the dams on the Mississippi River. Fishing below dams for sauger and walleye was spotty this week due to the rising water.
Rooster pheasants are crowing and some ruffed grouse drumming has started up. Wild turkey breeding activity is in high gear in southern Wisconsin with gobblers spending a lot of time each day with their harem of hens. Gobbling should increase during the next two weeks as the gobblers spend less time with hens and hens begin spending more time on their nests. Wisconsin’s second annual youth turkey hunt will be held this weekend, April 12 to 13. The hunt is open to youth ages 12 through 15 who have completed hunter education and have purchased a spring turkey license and stamp and have a valid tag for spring 2008. Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult who is not allowed to hunt. The first of six 5-day spring turkey periods then opens next Wednesday and runs through Sunday for hunters who were successful for that period in the spring drawing.
Large numbers of waterfowl can now be seen on the Mississippi River, along Lake Michigan and on open inland waters. Canvasback, goldeneye, bluebill, bufflehead, red head, mallard, wood duck, blue-winged teal, common and hooded mergansers, and northern shoveler are being seen. Pelicans have returned to the Mississippi River. Horicon Marsh is now free of ice and providing excellent waterfowl viewing. Ducks and geese are at their spring peak and the next few weeks will be the best time for seeing ducks in their brilliant breeding plumage. As these birds move on with the opening of water farther north, they will leave behind the local nesting ducks and local nesting giant Canada geese. Many of these geese are already on the nest and incubating eggs, so the first goslings should appear in the last week of April and first week of May. Great blue herons have returned to rookeries.
Skunk cabbage and marsh marigold are coming up in the south. Pussy willows are budding. Chorus frogs and spring peepers were heard this week in the south, but just a few wood frogs were heard calling. Chorus frog's call sounds similar to that produced by running a fingernail across the teeth of a comb, while spring peepers make a series of "peep-peep" calls.
And a reminder, the Spring Fish and Wildlife Rules Hearings and county Wisconsin Conservation Congress meetings will be held next Monday, April 14 in each county beginning at 7 p.m. More information and meeting location can be found on the DNR Web site. The hearings are open to all residents to come and vote on proposed fish and wildlife rule changes, as well as to propose changes they would like to be see made in the future.
A three-minute audio version of this report can be heard by calling (608) 266 2277.
A new report is put on the line each week.
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NORTHERN REGION
Superior DNR Service Center area
Brule River State Forest - As of April 10, the Bois Brule River was flowing at 219 cubic feet per second (cfs). The 63 year average flow is 243 cfs. The snow is once again melting away....for now. Reports of heavy snow fall are forecasted to start falling Thursday night. Don't put away the winter gear just yet! Keep in mind that most trails are closed to snowmobiling. Even though winter is threatening once again, signs of spring continue to show up. Winter wrens, dark-eyed juncos, red-winged blackbirds, American kestrels, and tundra swans have made their way back. Canada geese are a very common site now as they are staking claim on their territories. Tom turkeys are displaying for the hens. Ruffed grouse are drumming. Bears should be exiting their hibernation sights. Deer are a very common site along the road sides, looking for the green shoots of grass...drivers keep especially alert. Pussy willows are visible along wet areas. Pond edges are beginning to open up allowing the hardy waterfowl such as buffleheads, common mergansers, and mallards to look for food. Deer ticks are out now looking for a blood meal (not all signs of spring are pleasant). The deer tick can carry Lyme disease which can infect people and pets with their bite. Signs of infection in people could be flu-like symptoms, tiredness, and bull's-eye looking rash. [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/insect/ticked.htm]. The Gitchee Gumme Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation held its third annual Youth Learn to Hunt on the weekend of April 5 and 6. Fifteen youths from 12 to 16 years of age were mentored by 17 adults. More that 20 Wascott businesses helped sponsor this event by providing food and beverages. Additionally, Meteraud’s Crystal Lake Resort provided its cabin to house the youth and their mentors. One jake was harvested on Saturday. One jake and two adult gobblers were harvested on Sunday morning. Everyone had a great time, hearing multiple birds gobbling on each day. The spring public meeting for the Brule River State Forest is set for Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Brule Town Hall. Items to be discussed are projects that have been completed and projects that are planned for 2008, upcoming timber sales, and potential management Activities on newly acquired lands. For more information call the Brule River State Forest, (715) 372-5678.
Hayward DNR Service Center area
Washburn County – Goldeneyes, common and hooded mergansers, and pie billed grebes have been seen on the Yellow River. Flocks of snow geese have been seen flying north. Bluebirds, kestrels and woodcock are back. There is still almost 3 feet of ice on some lakes.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Below average temperatures have settled in to the Park Falls area again slowing the progression to spring. Some precipitation is forecast this week with warmer temperatures due in toward the end of the weekend. Ice conditions are quickly deteriorating and lakes are beginning to show open water near sun exposed shorelines and especially where water flow is present though much ice still remains. Anglers report a modest bite and many anglers have packed the ice fishing equipment away after this past weekend. Robins are singing, dove and woodcock numbers are increasing, a few finches have been spotted, eagles are increasing in numbers and sandhill cranes are being heard more frequently. Buffleheads, goldeneye and geese are present in many open water areas along with a few mallards. Soon the frogs will begin their melodious chorus as they emerge from their winter rest. Snow still remains in the forest but is decreasing daily. As you begin spring cleaning, please be sure to obtain a burning permit before burning brush piles or yard waste. ATV enthusiasts are reminded of the spring closure order on the Chequamegon National Forest between March 15 and April 30, which prohibits use of ATVs, motor bikes, horses, and mountain bikes on forest trails. Maple syrup collection has been good with favorable conditions existing. Remember to purchase a 2008 license before venturing out to your favorite fishing spot this spring. Take some time to venture outdoors and watch the natural world embrace the spring season.
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - Ice conditions saw some major deterioration with the sunny and mild weather of this past weekend. Most lakes are now down to 16 to 18 inches of solid ice, with 4 to 6 inches of slush/soft ice on top. Nearly all access areas have become unusable to any kind of vehicle traffic and some shorelines on the west and north sides of the lakes have begun to show some open-water areas. Most late season anglers have been getting out by foot and many have been accessing the lakes from the east and south shores as these tend to have a little more solid ice (more protected from the spring sun). Regardless, ice conditions become very treacherous this time of year and can change very quickly -- so extreme caution is urged in any sort of recreational activity around water during this spring period. With the deterioration of the access conditions, angling pressure did drop off on most lakes across the Northwoods this past week. Anglers that did venture out experienced some fair success, with a few decent catches of perch, crappie and bluegill being reported. Perch were still being found near the bottom in 12 to 18 feet of water and crappie were suspended 3 to 4 feet off the bottom in 18 to 25 feet of water. Waxworms and small minnows have been the hot baits, as well as wigglers when they can be found. With continued mild weather, this may be the last weekend for ice fishing on most lakes across the north.
Flambeau River State Forest – There is still snow in wooded areas, but it varies from bare ground to 24 inches. The Flambeau Hills Ski trail is no longer skiable. Snowshoeing conditions are very poor, expect to get wet. Ice fishing for bluegills is still good. But ice conditions on Lakes this time of year are very unstable. The south fork of the Flambeau River is open, but the north fork still has frozen portions. Most trails including X-skiing, snowmobile, ATV and Forest roads are closed until the frost leaves and conditions are dry. ATV trails are closed until May 15. Lake of the Pines Campground is open but expect very wet conditions. Geese, mergansers, robins, phoebes and cardinals have returned to the forest. Otters are being seen on the river and skunks are making an appearance. Turkeys are very visible and Toms are displaying.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Recent cold temperatures and snow has put the arrival of spring into recession. There are still no lakes that have opened up, in fact upwards of 30-inches of ice remain on some lakes. Use extreme caution while participating in ice travel as conditions can change rapidly with spring run off. Predicted cooler temperatures and more snow will put many spring activities in a holding pattern for a while. A blanket of snow now covers most of the north woods. Some flowage areas and rivers that have open water are holding full color migrating waterfowl. Now is a good time to get out and observe many species as they pass through on their way to breeding areas. Numerous wild turkey sightings are being reported. March 31 was the expiration date for last years hunting and fishing licenses. If you have not purchased your new licenses, now is a good time to come into the license outlets and service centers to do so. With the recent weather experienced here, maple syruping has come to a standstill and maybe over for the year.
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NORTHEAST REGION
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Marinette County - Snowfall has turned from slush to water adding to the spring runoff for the watersheds. Water levels are nearing the top of the banks on the Lower Peshtigo River. Water temperatures have not increased from last week staying in the high 30s. Walleye were hitting the baits on the Menominee River below the Hattie Street Dam. With a one-fish limit and a minimum size of 15 inches anglers were having no problem landing walleye using stick baits. Last weekend’s, warm weather brought people out in throngs. Many were anglers but many were content to feel the sun and look at the water. In Peshtigo, along the fence in the fish refuge, people lined up to observe the different species of fish. Fishing success was slow with some northern pike being caught along with a few suckers, walleyes are present but tight lipped and those anglers enjoying success are using jigs tipped with minnows or plastics fished extremely slow. The ice is out of most landings and the mouth of the Peshtigo harbor is open for about 500 yards. Migrating flocks of tundra swan, buffleheads and canvasback ducks are being observed along the waterway and nearshore areas. Phoebes, meadowlark and marsh hawks are also present. A few snakes were observed along the roadways on some of the warmer days. Frogs are chorusing in the southern part of the county.
Oconto County - On the Bay off Oconto the breakwater landing is open and boats are trolling a few hundred yards beyond the mouth of the harbor. Stiles Dam and Iron Bridge are getting the most use by anglers but the fishing has been slow. The trend for success this week for walleye, seemed to be fishing the seams very slowly with live bait. Cleo's and Rap's fished as slow as possible are still a good bet for trout.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Brown County - On the Fox River in Green Bay, walleye abundance has increased, with many were being caught in the heavy current flow, with some 28- to 31-inch trophy fish reported. The walleye were biting throughout the day; however, early morning seemed to be the better time for boat and shore anglers and night seems to be better for anglers fishing near Voyagers Park. Anglers fishing from shore on the island south of Voyagers Park also have been finding luck in the heavier current. Jigs and minnows have been catching the largest numbers of walleye, while crank baits and zip lures have been catching the largest fish. Expect the walleye fishing to be good for a couple of weeks depending on weather. Some crappies were being caught, from shore, at the mouth of the river.
Manitowoc County - In Manitowoc, anglers had a good week of fishing with the warm weather bringing out many pier and boat anglers. On Thursday trout anglers had good fishing from the north pier stub, the north side of the breakwater and the south pier. Anglers were fishing off the bottom with fresh spawn sacs or casting medium sized spoons. Anglers fishing just off the bottom from the breakwater also caught a couple big catfish. Most of the brown trout harvested ranged from 3 to 6 pounds. Boat anglers also had a good week of fishing picking up brown trout along the shore-line and off the marina's breakwater. Most boaters trolled in waters 8 to 12 feet deep with crank baits. On the Manitowoc River, anglers had a good weekend of fishing with a mixed bag of species being caught. On Thursday, one brown trout angler fishing Manitou Park caught a nice brown trout weighting in at 11 pounds and 30 inches. Over the weekend at Lower Cato Falls Park, anglers caught a smallmouth bass and a couple of small northern pike. Anglers were fishing with spinners baits or small to medium sized spoons. On the West Twin River, anglers had a great week of rainbow trout fishing. On Saturday anglers fishing the Shoto dam had success throughout the day landing some very nice rainbow trout. Most of the rainbow trout harvested ranged in weight from 4 to 6 pounds. One angler had an exceptional day catching his limit of rainbow trout in the morning with one beauty weighing in at 11 pounds and 33.5 inches. On the East Twin River anglers also had a good week of fishing catching some nice rainbow trout. Anglers had success fishing the Mishicot dam and downstream from the Village park. In Two Rivers anglers trolling Lake Michigan had a good late week and early weekend of fishing with favorable weather and active brown trout. Anglers had the most success trolling both the northern and southern shorelines with stick baits and crank baits in 10 to 15 feet of water. Few pier anglers took advantage of the warmer weather while inside the harbor, some catfish and brown trout anglers had mixed success this past week.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County - March went out of Door County like a lion this year, a very soggy lion, with poring rains on Monday. April came in equally wet only white, with a significant snow fall in the morning. The rest of the week became progressively nicer culminating with a beautiful day on Saturday. It’s beginning to look like spring is finally arriving in Door County. Anglers trolling Lake Michigan off of Door County have been picking up some brown trout. A nice brown trout was caught by an angler wading the shallows off of Anclam Park in Baileys Harbor. Reports of some nice steelhead have been coming in from most of the streams flowing into Lake Michigan. Please be careful when wading the streams, the water levels are high and fast, making for dangerous conditions. All of the harbors on the Bay side of the county remain iced over; however, the ice conditions are very dangerous. A least one very experienced angler went through the ice, but fortunately he was able to get out and the only injury was to his pride.
Kewaunee County - There continues to be action for steelhead on the Kewaunee and Ahnapee river tributaries, as well as Silver Creek and Stoney Creek. Spawn sacs, spinners, or spoons will work; however, murkier water in some areas from recent rainfall makes for more of a challenge when it comes to water visibility. Action on Lake Michigan is picking up, and seems to be weather permitting. There continues to be good opportunities for brown and rainbow trout closer to shore in Kewaunee or Algoma.
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SOUTHEAST REGION
Sheboygan County - Chorus frogs are singing, but just a few wood frogs were calling. About half of the western county lakes and ponds still have ice. Eastern phoebes are back. Golden-crowned kinglets are back. Blue-winged teal are back, and northern shovelers have been seen. Bluebirds, peewees, and phoebe's are back, and the bluebirds have started nesting activities. Turkeys are displaying, and sandhill cranes are back in force and calling. Woodcock are peenting and performing their aerial dances as well. Skunk cabbage and marsh marigold are coming up.
Washington and Ozaukee counties - Wild Turkey breeding activity is in high gear with gobblers spending a lot of time each day with their harem of hens. Gobbling should increase during the next two weeks as the gobblers spend less time with hens and hens begin spending more time on their nests (gobblers generally don't gobble much while they're with the hens). Several "Learn to Hunt" turkey hunts were held around the state last weekend (April 5 and 6). There were 21 turkeys harvested by 38 mentored novice hunters in an Ozaukee County Learn-to-Hunt Turkey event. Many species of waterfowl, shorebirds and other migratory birds are being seen on type I (seasonally flooded) wetlands throughout the area. Most pairs of giant Canada geese have staked out their nesting territories.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan, flows are good on both the Sheboygan and Pigeon Rivers. Anglers fishing the Sheboygan River upstream near River Wildlife have been catching a few steelhead. Fishing off the Sheboygan piers has been slow. A few boaters have been fishing in and around the Sheboygan harbor, and they have been catching brown trout on crank baits.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington, shore anglers fishing near the power plant have been catching browns and steelhead on spawn sacs, but suckers have recently moved into the area as well. The Port Washington pier and other areas in the harbor have also been producing brown trout on shiners.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee, anglers fishing the Milwaukee River have been catching a few steelhead on flies at Kletzsch Park. Oak Creek has also produced a few steelhead on spawn sacs near the mouth. Milwaukee shore anglers fishing behind the Summerfest grounds have been catching a few browns on spawn sacs fished off the bottom or on shiners under a slip bobber. Boaters fishing the Milwaukee harbor or near the Oak Creek Power Plant have been catching good numbers of browns.
Racine County - In Racine the Root River has dropped to fishable levels, and water temperatures in the river are now in the low 40s. Anglers fishing in Island Park and lower Lincoln Park have found steelhead and a few browns in and amongst suckers. Large flies fished over the gravel beds in Lincoln Park has been effective, as well as drifting spawn in Island Park. Upstream in Quarry Park and at the Horlick dam, anglers have been catching steelhead on green or pink flies. The Root River Steelhead Facility is running, and DNR crews will be processing fish this week on Wednesday and Thursday.
Kenosha County - In Kenosha fishing in the harbor has been slow. Flows on the Pike River are good, but only a few steelhead have been reported there.
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SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Horicon DNR Service Center area
Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area - Horicon Marsh is currently free of ice and providing opportunities for early migrant water birds. The ducks and geese are at their spring peak providing a good chance to see most all of the diving and dabbling ducks known to Wisconsin. The Canada geese tend to be more spread out in the spring compared to the fall migration as they feed aggressively to gain weight for their northward flight and eventual egg production. The migrant geese usually depart in the third week of April, which is also the time when many of the northward bound ducks move on. Therefore, the next few weeks will be the best time for early spring watching of waterfowl while the ducks are in their brilliant breeding plumage. As these birds move on with the opening of water farther north, they will leave behind the local nesting ducks and local nesting giant Canada geese. Many of these geese are already on the nest and incubating eggs. They have a 28 day incubation period and the first goslings will appear in the last week of April and first week of May. With the progress of the season, other migrant birds are appearing including tree swallows, eastern bluebirds, phoebes, fox sparrows, sapsuckers and others. This is a fast changing time of year and with each warm front and southerly winds new birds will be arriving in Wisconsin over the next five to six weeks.
Fitchburg DNR Service Center area
Dane County
Governor Nelson State Park - All trails are open for hiking! Some of the lowland trails have standing water. For the most recent trail conditions call the park office, (608) 831-3005. The boat launch ramps will be closed and under construction on April 19 and 20. Boat launch piers are scheduled to be installed by mid to late April after the construction is completed. The fish cleaning table behind the boat launch rest room building is closed and will be open before May 1. The boat launch restrooms are open
Lake Kegonsa State Park - All trails are open to hiking, but may be muddy and icy. Please use caution when on the trails. Spring is finally here! Many birds are arriving daily. So far, sandhill cranes, robins, red-winged blackbirds and bluebirds have been seen. The campground, dump station and shower building are scheduled to open May 1. A construction project to add 16 sites to the family campground and three sites to the group campground is underway. This project should be completed in late June or early July.
Jefferson County - Anglers have been catching some legal-sized walleye on the Rock River in Watertown by Bethesda and the wastewater treatment plant. The fish are biting the best on a jig with a minnow. Dip-netters were having fair success dipping carp and buffalo on the Crawfish River in Milford as well as on the Rock River by Ashippun. The ice on the backwater lakes of the Rock and Crawfish rivers has melted. Some ice still remains on the larger lakes in the county; however, it is quickly disappearing. The Rock and Crawfish rivers are still flooding adjacent fields in many locations. The rivers and streams in Jefferson County have an emergency slow-no-wake imposed on them due to the flooding. Tom turkeys have been seen displaying throughout Dodge and Jefferson counties due to the warmer weather. The flocks have been breaking up over the past couple weeks from their high numbers over the winter months.
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WEST CENTRAL REGION
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
As water temperatures in ponds, lakes, and marshes reach 50 degrees F during the next several weeks, frogs and toads will begin calling. Like male songbirds, male frogs and toads announce their presence to females by singing or calling. Also like birds, each species of frog and toad has a unique call. Unlike the 100s of songbird species that occur in Wisconsin, there are only 11 species of frogs and one species of toad in Wisconsin. Because frogs and toads are amphibians, they require water for breeding and have specific breeding habitat preferences, just as birds have preferred breeding habitats. Some breed in woodland pools, some in spring seeps, and others in cattail marshes. Frog and toad eggs, which are laid in water, hatch into tadpoles and metamorphose into adult frogs or toads. Wood frogs are the first frog to call in the spring, from late March to mid-April. Their squawking duck-like call is soon followed by that of spring peepers and chorus frogs. Toads usually begin calling or trilling in late April or early May. Chorus frogs and spring peepers have initiated their spring calling. Chorus frog's call sounds similar to that produced by running a fingernail across the teeth of a plastic hair comb, while spring peepers make a series of "peep-peep" calls. Many immature bald eagles are still present in the area, especially along the Mississippi River.
Crawford County - All week the Mississippi River rose and was at 10.1 feet early this week, up more than a foot and a half in a little over a week. The forecast for the Mississippi River is to rise another 2 feet in the next week or so. The Wisconsin River is on the rise too. The Kickapoo River has been rising also but flooding conditions are not present so far. Rain and snow is predicted this coming week so the Wisconsin and Kickapoo will probably start to rise again. The Main Channel of the Mississippi and most of the back waters are now completely open. The Main Channel is seeing some barge traffic. Bluegill, perch, and crappie action was spotty this week. There has been some decent perch fishing along the shorelines below the dams on the Mississippi River. Fishing from the shore at Cold Spring continues to produce bluegills. At times action is slow and other time the “gills” are running small. However, some days anglers leave with a decent catch. Crappie were also biting at Cold Spring. Anglers fishing at Cold Spring are using small jigs tipped with wax worms or garden worms for bluegills and small red, pink, or white jigs tipped with plastic for crappie. The Ambro Slough complex did not see much fishing activity this week as the water kept rising. Spring Lake pretty much ice free as are most of the other backwater areas. Sturgeon Slough also opened up this week. Fishing below the Lynxville dam for sauger and walleye was pretty spotty this week probably due to the rising water. There were a few days when some very nice catches of walleye and sauger were taken. It appears the best time to fish was very early in the morning. The boat landing at Gordon’s Bay is open however no piers are in place yet. Some shore anglers have been fishing on the long wall at the dam. Anglers can park in the lot at Lock and Dam #9 and walk down to the wall. Perch, northern, and a few walleyes were taken last week. Perch were biting on garden worms. The youth turkey hunt is scheduled for this upcoming weekend. Turkey numbers and activity appear to be very good after a harsh winter. Bald eagles can be seen along the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. Large numbers of waterfowl can now be seen on Pool 9 in the Lynxville/Ferryville area. Canvasback, bluebill, bufflehead, red head, mallard, wood duck, teal, shoveler and many other species of ducks are here. Pelicans, geese, and some swans are also present. There are some great viewing areas along State Highway 35 between Lynxville and Ferryville. A large number of pelicans can be seen on Tilmont Lake also. Deer and turkeys are feeding aggressively now that most of the snow has melted. Sandhill cranes, robins, blue birds, red-winged blackbirds and other song birds have returned. Turkeys are already starting their mating ritual. Rooster pheasants are crowing and some ruffed grouse drumming has started up. Now that most of the snow has melted it is a great time to start removing garlic mustard from your land. It is already “greening” up and easy to find. Now is the time to have bluebird and wood duck houses cleaned out. It is also a good time to clean out bird feeders.
Vernon County - Anglers came off the Mississippi River at the Genoa dam with nice catches of jumbo perch, numerous 30-inch northern pike and some decent walleyes. Windy conditions hampered anglers over the weekend.
Eau Claire DNR Service Center area
Brunet Island State Park - Most of the Cornell Flowage has opened with ice holding along shore. The boat ramp remains snowed shut. The backwater bays are still holding ice, though ice fishing activity has diminished. Park trails are generally snow covered or muddy at present. Species of birds seen or heard include: common loons, great blue herons, red winged blackbirds, phoebes, mergansers, Canada geese, sandhill cranes, robins, mourning doves, nuthatches, ravens, black capped chickadees, piliated woodpeckers, great horned owls, barred owls, and bald eagles.
Chippewa Moraine Ice Age State Recreation Area - - Spring has arrived at the Chippewa Moraine, but there is still some snow remaining on north facing slopes and in some stretches of the trail. Trails are generally in good hiking condition and are firmly packed down in most locations. With the recent snow and rainfalls, there may be some slippery and muddy spots. Lake ice is starting to break up and is open around the shoreline. Stay off the lakes. Sandhill cranes are back and can be generally seen on the grassy fields in front of the Chippewa Moraine visitors’ center. Great blue herons have returned to the rookery and at last count, there were approximately 60 nests, easily seen from the trail. If you’re interested in watching these entertaining birds repair nests and perform courtship rituals, you should plan on viewing the rookery before leaf emergence. Male red-winged blackbirds have returned to claim the best nesting sites and females are starting to arrive. Eastern bluebirds have returned to some of the best nest boxes. Due to efforts of many bluebird enthusiasts state-wide, these birds have increased in numbers over the last decade. The Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin says 28,244 baby bluebirds were produced in the 2007 nesting season from 7,800 nest boxes across the state that are tended and monitored by volunteers. If your visiting the Chippewa Moraine, ask for a free plan on making your own bluebird nesting box. Local maple sugaring operations are starting up with a promise of good sap run, as nights remain cool and daytimes starting to warm up. There are three backpack campsites that are available on a first-come basis. If you've never tried early spring camping, you may want to consider it. The North Shattuck and Un-named Lake Campsites are located within a short walk of a parking area. The Townline Lake campsite can be accessed by canoe or boat. All campsites are scenic and generally quiet.
Wausau DNR Service Center area
Rib Mountain State Park - Trails are in decent condition, but with warm weather forecast conditions can change quickly. Plenty of deer can be seen while in the woods along with other wildlife such as turkeys, fox, woodchucks, etc. The campground will re-open May 1. Granite Peak Ski Area is closed for the season. The Friends of Rib Mountain have entered into an agreement with UW-Stevens Point - Schmeeckle Reserve to develop a conceptual plan for a Nature Center at Rib Mountain State Park, stay tuned for further details as the staff at Schmeeckle Reserve will be seeking public input about the proposed nature center throughout the next year. Please note this is for the proposed Nature Center only and is not for general park operations.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - As of Tuesday there was still snow on some roads. Sandhill cranes have been heard in the area and some robins seen. Osprey have started rebuilding nests. Spring is around the corner! Trails are icy and may be melting in spots. Some roads are still closed to vehicles due to snow. Remember, park stickers are required to access boat launches C and D and there are no additional launch fees. Sites 8, 9, 16 are open year-round first come, and drinking water is available at the park office. Site 8 has electric! The group camp opening is dependant on the weather and snow melting. There are still dates available for the accessible cabin in May, Sept, and Oct. Applications are available for the November Buckhorn Youth Deer Hunt. Contact the park office at 608-565-2789 for questions or to get an application. The 2008 application is also available on the park website through the DNR internet site. Spring turkey hunting in the park and Buckhorn wildlife area is 15C - special permit only. Turkey hunting for area 15 is allowed in the Yellow River Wildlife Area (formerly wildlife area B).
Roche-A-Cri State Park - Most snow is melted from the trails. The main entrance is still closed at this time. The main entrance opening is dependant on weather and snow melting. The stairs are not maintained for winter use. Early spring is a great time to get out and take photos for the annual photo contest.
Last Revised: Thursday April 10 2008
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